The twisting network of caverns underneath Gunung Mulu National Park, in Sarawak, Borneo, contains the largest cave chamber in the world, the largest cave by volume and what is believed to be the largest cave passage.
Scientists carry out bi-annual visits into several caves and have so far mapped out an incredible 186 miles of the underground network.
Making a splash: Expedition leader Tim Allen inspects the 'Shower Head' - a calcium-formed funnel which transports rain water from the surface into caves underneath Gunung Mulu National Park, in Sarawak, BorneoUsing lasers and other equipment they measured the dimensions of different sections of the numerous caverns stretching throughout the UNESCO World Heritage site and feed them into a computer to build up the map.
Working with Borneo's National Parks authority, the team of Brits also began mapping the area above the caves to help tourists trekking between the cave mouths know where they are.
Sarawak Chamber is the world's largest, the Clearwater Cave system is the largest by volume and Deer Cave is believed to be the biggest passage.
More than 30 years ago the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) led the first expedition to the cave system, which current team member Andy Eavis, 62, was part of.
Other members of the team - all British - included leader Tim Allen, 49, Dr Gina Moseley, 26, web designer Hugh St Lawrence, professor Pete Smart and cavers Matt Kirby and Robbie Shone.
The expedition saw the team camping for periods below surface during a three-week trip in May.
Leaving a mark: Andy Eavis compares his hand size to ancient prints left in Black Hands Cave
Cavernous: Deer Cave is home to more than three million bats and is believed to be the largest cave passage in the worldMr Shone said: 'The work being done by the team will probably never be completed in my lifetime and maybe not for two or three generations after.
'There are new caves and parts of the network being discovered all the time so it seems to be a never-ending story. But caves are the planet's final frontier.
'Caves are one of the last areas to be chartered and I think that's what gives us all a thrill.
'To be part of a British effort to try and systemically record what is done here is something special.
'And of course we are all getting to spend time in this incredible network which is one of the world's most stunning.'
Vast: The north entrance of Deer Cave - which measures nearly 390ft wide and more than 900 ft high - is just one of a network of 180miles of caverns
The team also took samples of sediment around the caves which will be taken back to the UK for analysis.
Black Hands Cave features ancient paintings of human hands dating back hundreds of years.
And these images also show Racer Cave's bizarre 'Shower Head' - a natural calcium-formed funnel running from the surface deep underground which lets rainwater fall into the cave.
Mr Shone added: 'It is always good to know what the weather is doing on the surface, especially in the tropics when it rains.
'However, it is also nice to have available water supply to drink from as the temperatures can exceed 25C inside the caves.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1310129/British-explorers-map-cave-network-underneath-Borneo-jungle.html#ixzz0z3uZGeIj
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In one of my file I have an article where they detonated a nuclear bomb in an underground cave that was connected to an underground network and the radiation in some place in Canada (another cave network) went up!? These caves are all connected in some form or fashion and who knows not just the creatures and natural beauty but what of the technology and other things that you read about in the many stories and myths out there. In another one fo my files some guys found a city filled with treasure but they got lost or something like that and now they can't find the entrance to the cave, really wild stuff!? I wouldn't say crazy because the more I research this stuff the more I'm discovering that there is truth in many of these stories!?
I wonder if any group or orginization has a map of all the caves in the world and how they are connected? I'd love to see a map like that!?
Thanx again for the post....spectacular!!^_^
THank you for sharing this.
caves are one of the most mysterious and amazing works of nature.
you can see the complexity of this creations.
Our planet earth was indeed full of mysteries and secrets that human had yet to discover.
I felt so overwhelming when i stared at the pictures.
THANK YOU
Lights and Loves.
There seems to be so much surrounding light in all the photos, something I wouldn't expect to see in a cave network (or from a cameras flash).
I guess they are running some type of industrial lighting for the exploration, which is a pity, as the light and heat itself can affect the surroundings.
Great post, thanks!
We have information of access points that lead to Inner Earth..... but there may be more.
Nevertheless they look very beautiful.
I AM A BEING OF SILVER-VIOLET FIRE...
I AM THE PURITY GOD DESIRES
Thanks for this, Daytuner. Amazingly beautiful and inspiring.